Don't be a snob: Bike the C-Bus

Not only did I do the annual Bike the C-Bus for the first time on Saturday, but I think I
won!

Then again, nobody else seemed to be racing.

Bike the C-Bus is a low-key ride for an interesting variety of riders. It’s the
bicycle version of a leisurely stroll through several Columbus neighborhoods. And yes, if you’re
detecting a bit of bike snobbery in my description, you are correct ... and it took me several
miles and three neighborhoods to put my snobbery aside and become one with the hipsters,
Millennials, young professionals and families doing Bike the C-Bus.

Some of them didn’t even have clip-in shoes. How can you ride fast without clip-ins?

And several were wearing T-shirts. I'm not making this up.

Anyway, I learned several things during the Bike the C-Bus ride:

*Lately, I’ve been writing a lot of articles about local developments (I’m a business reporter
when I’m not on my bike) and every developer and planner I interview talks about all the young
professionals (or Millennials) taking over the world and how they all want to live in walkable,
bikeable neighborhoods filled with amenities. The Bike the C-Bus riders are the people they’re
talking about. And even if don’t have carbon frames and bike jerseys, they will change the world,
or at least the way we get around it and commute and shop. A change is coming and more and more
people of all ages seem to be riding bikes. Get used to it, get a bike, and ride with us. At any
speed, for any distance.

*We rode past the oldest building in Franklinton, the Deardurff House, which was
built in 1807. This log house was also Franklinton’s first post office. It’s in bad/sad shape, but
undergoing restoration. I had never even heard of it until Saturday.

*Some of the neighborhoods we rode through, such as German Village and the Short North, are
doing great. Others, not so much, such as the King Lincoln and Franklinton neighborhoods. We can’t
forget about these areas and the people who live there, so great job by the Bike the C-Bus people
(aka Yay Bikes!) for reminding us.

*It’s no fun riding on the German Village bricks. And we seemed to be on them a really long
time.

*Despite all the Downtown improvements and steady influx of new residents, it’s still pretty
quiet on a Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

*I learned one more lesson: Don’t ride home via the Olentangy bike trail (OK, I know it’s a
multi-use trail, but I’m a biker, not a multi-userist) through Ohio State right before the start of
a football game. Even if it’s Buffalo.